What to Do If Your Loved One Is Moving into Your House

By Rob Buck, 9:00 am on June 28, 2018

When a senior loved one moves into your home, it can be a big lifestyle adjustment. Both caregiver and care recipient will have to adapt to the new living arrangement. Here are a few tips that can make the transition smoother.

Have a Discussion About Expectations

Before you officially move your loved one into the guest bedroom, have an honest discussion about the situation. Ask your loved one what he or she needs to feel comfortable after moving in. You should discuss privacy policies and house rules as well. It’s also the time to talk about finances, legal issues, healthcare, and other caregiving concerns.

It’s also a good time to assess your loved one’s health and consider professional in-home care. Families shouldn’t have to worry about finding reliable home care. Anchorage Home Care Assistance is a leading provider of elderly home care. We offer a proprietary program called the Balanced Care Method, which uses holistic methods to promote senior health, our caregivers and Care Managers are available 24/7, and all of our in-home care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Talk to Your Family Members

Your kids will have to adjust to sharing their space with their grandparent, which may require some concessions on their part. If you don’t have a spare room, one of your kids may be displaced from his or her bedroom, which could breed resentment. When discussing the move with your family, remind them of the positives, like the chance to spend more time with their loved one. Make sure younger kids understand their grandparent’s condition. If your loved one has Alzheimer’s, your kids may be confused by the mood swings or erratic behavior. Prime them on what to expect, and remind them your loved one’s health condition isn’t his or her fault. If any of your kids are facing negative consequences from the move, like being forced to swap bedrooms, let them express their emotions. Try to model the compassion you want your kids to emulate.

Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Anchorage, AK, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.

Make the Home Senior-Friendly

Depending on your loved one’s physical needs, you may have to make some updates to your home, which may require safety measures such as grab bars in the bathroom. The house may also need in-depth changes like exterior wheelchair ramps or wider hallways. If you’re planning small or extensive alterations to your home, come up with a game plan. Consider all the changes you’ll need to make, and calculate how much it’s going to cost. Make sure you have the budget to safely house your loved one.

Assess Your Loved One’s Care Requirements

Before move-in day, you’ll need to consider what kind of care your loved one will need once he or she is living with you. He or she may be largely independent but no longer up to the task of living alone. You may be planning on becoming a full-time caregiver. After you’ve established the extent of the necessary care, you need to devise an actionable care plan. Look into local services like Meals on Wheels and in-home respite care agencies that can help you with the caregiving workload. You should also think about your loved one’s future needs. If your loved one is in the early stages of dementia, be mindful of how the condition will progress and how his or her care needs could change over time.

Seniors who need help aging in place can benefit from professional in-home care. In Anchorage, elderly care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your aging loved one, give us a call at (907) 770-0907 today.